AGAINST ID CARDS

[Bill McGonigle]

On Thursday, October 4, 2001, at 06:41 , Arnold G. Reinhold wrote:

> The licenses would still be issued by the states so there would be no 
> new bureaucracy.

> Thoughts?

We have the technology to implement a good electronic ID system, but it 
wouldn't solve any security problems:

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
srv/aponline/20011004/aponline204714_000.htm


Pa. Jury Indicts 20 in License Scam

By Mike Crissey
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001; 8:47 p.m. EDT

PITTSBURGH –– Sixteen men from six states were indicted by a federal 
grand jury Thursday on charges of falsely obtaining Pennsylvania 
commercial driver's licenses.

The men were among 21 of Middle Eastern descent who were arrested last 
week as part of an investigation of a Pittsburgh licensing office where 
an examiner has told authorities he helped people fraudulently obtain 
licenses.

Four men from Washington state were indicted Wednesday.

Eighteen of those indicted had permits to transport hazardous chemicals.

They were arrested amid concerns about possible terrorist attacks 
involving chemical or biological weapons. Federal authorities have since 
said they found no link between the alleged scam and the Sept. 11 
attacks.

The only man arrested last week who has not been indicted is Elmeliani 
"Ben" Benmoumen, 36, of Pittsburgh. Federal prosecutors say Benmoumen 
was a middleman who helped others obtain the licenses from a 
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation employee for bribes.

Federal authorities are not identifying the employee, who has since been 
fired, but have said he is a cooperating witness in the case.

Benmoumen was scheduled for a hearing Friday at which the government 
must present their probable cause for arresting him.

U.S. Magistrate Kenneth L. Benson also may hold bail hearings or 
arraignments for some of the 20 other men Friday, but Benson's staff 
could not immediately say which of the suspects are likely to appear in 
court.

Some of the men are jailed in their home states or otherwise may be 
unable to travel to Pennsylvania immediately.

State transportation officials have canceled 111 commercial and 
noncommercial licenses traced to the alleged scam.

Federal authorities charged only those men who received commercial 
licenses because they have no jurisdiction over noncommercial licenses.

The men indicted Thursday were arrested in Pennsylvania, Illinois, 
Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas.




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